I have bad luck shoveling snow. In college, we had a blizzard and I got stuck unearthing my car out with a bucket! It took me nearly three hours. Then last year, I broke two snow shovels freeing my car from the driveway. Not fun.

But despite the aggravation and stiff back, my snow grief was actually very green. No harmful rock salt. No exhaust from a snow blower. And no ice-melting chemical pellets. Hooray for me.

Invest in a “snow melt mat.” It’s an electric heating system installed in the blacktop.

Scatter sand or birdseed for traction.

Go easy on the chemical de-icer.

Calcium chloride salt is less harsh than sodium chloride and potassium chloride.

Don’t use kitty litter or wood ash. They’re messy and don’t melt ice.

Avoid products with nitrogen-based urea.

Wear boots with good tread.

I’ve got a couple redneck friends that would probably add starting a big bonfire on the ice or doing something involving M-80s and shotgun shells. But I am sad to see shoveling with a bucket in your running shoes with a post-frat party hangover didn’t make the list.

And if none of these make sense to you. You can always stay inside and wait for spring.

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Gerry is your typical yoga practicing, no pizza or meat eating Italian guy from New Jersey. Seriously, his family still isn't speaking to him.
Professionally, Gerrys been Dr. Joel Fuhrman, MD's blogger since 2005.